This is a collection of charms, cast in forms of prayers, which
have nothing in common with those of the Church. The prayers are mainly
concerned with worldly riches, not spiritual ones. It was perhaps printed
in Rome in 1523, and again in 1606. Its magical virtue rests on a supposed
letter from Charlemagne to Pope Leo, in which he states that since receiving
the Enchiridion he has never ceased to be fortunate. The charms it contains
are supposed to be effectual against all the dangers to which the human
flesh is heir-poison, fire, wild beasts and tempests. When a copy of the
book has been secured, it must be placed in a small bag of leather, carried
on the person, at least one page is read daily. The reading must be done
upon the knees with the face turned toward the east, and works of piety
must be performed in honor of the celestial spirits, whose influence it
is desired to attract. The first chapter of the Gospel according to St.
John is declared to be the most potent in the book. (see Gospel
of Saint John, The) As for the symbols, they are mostly of oriental
design. It also includes mysterious prayers of Pope Leo, and certain conjurations
of a semi-magical character, and seven mysterious orisons, which are merely
clumsy imitations of the Roman ritual. A.G.H.